The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Charles A. Lawson (MCSN: 1912373), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the night of 6 June 1969, the Third Platoon of Company B was occupying an ambush position approximately 500 meters north of the Village of Ha Nha in Quang Nam Province. Alertly observing an approaching North Vietnamese Army force, Sergeant Lawson patiently waited until the enemy had walked into the killing zone and then initiated contact. During the ensuing fire fight, he fearlessly moved throughout the fire-swept terrain shouting encouragement and instructions to his men and ably directing their fire against the North Vietnamese Army unit. Boldly crawling across the fire-swept terrain to within a few meters of the enemy, Sergeant Lawson skillfully threw hand grenades with devastating effectiveness. As the enemy attempted to assault his platoon’s position, Sergeant Lawson fearlessly stood up and, firing four light anti-tank assault weapons a the hostile unit, thereby repelled their assault. His bold initiative and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the defeat of the North Vietnamese Army unit. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant Lawson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.